01 / 20

Making
Inferences

Master the art of reading between the lines: finding meaning that is implied but not directly stated in a passage.

ISEE Middle Level Reading Comprehension

What Is an Inference?

An inference is a conclusion you draw based on evidence in the text combined with your own reasoning and background knowledge. The author doesn't tell you directly: you figure it out from clues.

The Inference Equation

Text Clues (what the author wrote) + Your Knowledge (what you already know) = Inference (your conclusion)

Why Inferences Matter on the ISEE

High Frequency
Inference questions appear on nearly every ISEE Reading Comprehension passage: they are one of the most common question types.
Deeper Thinking
These questions test whether you truly understand a passage, not just whether you can locate a fact.
Tricky Distractors
Wrong answer choices often seem reasonable but go beyond what the text actually supports. You must stay grounded in the passage.

The Core Rule of Inference

Valid Inference Supported by text Logical reasoning Not too broad (overgeneralized) Not too narrow (too specific)

Recognizing Inference Questions

ISEE inference questions use distinctive phrasing. Watch for these signal words in the question stem:

"It can be inferred..."
The most direct signal. The answer will not be stated word-for-word in the passage.
"The author implies..."
Asks what the author hints at or suggests without saying it outright.
"The passage suggests..."
Points toward a conclusion that follows logically from the evidence given.
"Most likely..." / "Probably..."
Asks you to make a reasonable judgment based on available clues.

Inference vs. Stated Information

Inference Stated Information
In the text? Not directly Explicitly written
How to find it Combine clues + reasoning Locate the exact sentence
Question phrasing "implies," "suggests," "inferred" "according to," "the author states"
Difficulty level Higher Lower
Requires reasoning? Yes, always Minimal

The 4-Step Inference Strategy

1
Read the question first. Identify what it's asking you to infer: about a character, the author's view, a cause, or a prediction.
2
Find the evidence. Go back to the passage and locate the specific lines, details, or word choices that relate to the question.
3
Reason from the evidence. Ask yourself: "What does this evidence logically suggest?" Form your own answer before looking at the choices.
4
Match and eliminate. Compare your answer to the choices. Eliminate any choice that is unsupported, contradicted, or goes too far beyond the text.

Worked Example: The Garden

"Maria knelt in the garden, carefully pulling weeds from around the tomato plants. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, then gently tied a drooping stem to its stake. She had been out here every morning since April, and the neighbors often paused to admire her rows of vegetables."

Question: It can be inferred from this passage that Maria is:

Worked Example: The Letter

"James stared at the letter in his hands, reading it for the third time. He set it down on the kitchen table, then walked to the window and stood there for a long while, watching the rain. When his mother asked if everything was all right, he forced a smile and said, 'Fine, just fine.'"

Question: The passage suggests that James most likely feels:

Harder Example: The Science Fair

"After the judges announced the winners, Priya clapped enthusiastically for her classmate Amir, who held the first-place ribbon. She glanced at her own project board, then looked away quickly. On the ride home, her father said, 'You worked harder on that project than anything I've ever seen.' Priya nodded but said nothing."

Types of Inferences on the ISEE

Character Inferences
What kind of person is the character? How do they feel? Use their actions, words, and reactions as clues.
Cause and Effect
Why did something happen? The cause may not be stated directly, but the effects give you clues to work backward.
Author's Purpose
Why did the author include a detail or use a specific word? Consider what effect it has on the reader.

Weighing the Strength of Evidence

STRONG WEAK Multiple clues point the same way Three details all suggest the same conclusion One strong, specific clue A key word or action that strongly hints at meaning General tone or feeling The passage feels sad, but no single detail proves it No real support: just a guess

Eliminating Wrong Answers

Wrong answer choices on inference questions fall into predictable traps. Learn to spot these patterns:

1
Too extreme. Uses words like "always," "never," "all," or "none." Most valid inferences are moderate, not absolute.
2
Goes beyond the text. May sound reasonable but introduces ideas or information never mentioned or hinted at in the passage.
3
Contradicts the text. Directly opposes something stated in the passage. Often a reversal of the actual inference.
4
Restates what's already said. Repeats the passage word-for-word. Remember: an inference goes beyond what is stated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Using Outside Knowledge
Bringing in facts you learned elsewhere but that are not supported by this specific passage. Stay grounded in the text.
✕ Confusing Inference with Fact
Choosing an answer that is directly stated rather than inferred. If it's written word-for-word, it's not an inference.
✕ Overthinking
Creating elaborate theories not supported by the evidence. The best inference is usually the simplest logical step from the clues.

Quick Reference Summary

Strategy Step What to Do Watch Out For
1. Read the question Identify what to infer Don't skim: know the target
2. Find evidence Locate relevant lines Don't rely on memory alone
3. Reason logically Form your own answer first Avoid extreme conclusions
4. Match and eliminate Pick the best-supported choice Reject unsupported options

Question 1 of 5

It can be inferred from the passage that Mr. Hadley's bookstore is most likely:

Question 2 of 5

The passage suggests that Sonia most likely:

Question 3 of 5

From the passage, the reader can infer that Marcus is:

Question 4 of 5

It can be inferred that Dr. Patel believes the fossil:

Question 5 of 5

The passage implies that the lighthouse keeper continues his work primarily because of: